On a bright and chilly Saturday, the Berkshire School Ski Team's USSA group fled "south" to participate in a U21-U18-U16 age class SL competition at the heralded Ski Sundown race venue, in New Hartford, CT. The team's overall numbers were somewhat limited for this competition qualifier, due to the absence of our 5th formers, who were participating in the first 2014 edition of the SAT's.

Nevertheless, while an early start ensued (8:30 am), the Bears arrived prepared and psyched to compete. Following two vastly different course sets, which highlighted a broad range of skills, our skiers really and truly showed their depth and well-honed talents. Julia Slyer '14 led the Bears from the girls’ side, with a 4th place finish overall. Consistent and driving, Annette Key '16 provided two strong runs, to finish 3rd in the U16 age class. Caroline Slyer '16 was right behind with a 5th place in the U16 age class while, again highlighting our athletes’ depth, Molly Coleman '16 finished in 8th for the U16's.

On the boys’ side, Nate Mackenzie '14 led the Bears’ charge, finishing in 3rd place overall. Nate was followed by the hard charging, yet tactically-flying Dutchman Maarten van 't Wout '14, who stormed up from his start position of 109 back, to finish in 11th place overall. And in equally amazing fashion, Michael Melvin '17 provided two energy filled runs to finish 20th overall, and 2nd for the U16 age class! Rounding out the side was a show of determination and pride, in which George Frick '14, after falling and having some challenges in both runs, hiked and still managed to land in 26th place overall.

In sum, it was a great race series for the Bears, yet one only briefly relished for our U16's, who again traveled for the 2nd leg of their weekend competitions in Wachusett. Stay tuned!

Berkshire School is a co-ed, New England college preparatory boarding and day school offering a rigorous academic course of study in the northeast United States. Our campus, located in Massachusetts, has state-of-the-art academic, artistic and athletic facilities on a stunning 400-acre campus in the Berkshires.